SIMULATION OF PARTIAL OXIDATION OF NATURAL-GAS TO SYNTHESIS GAS-USINGASPEN PLUS

Conversion of natural gas to liquid fuels is a challenging issue. In S MDS process natural gas is first partially oxidized with pure oxygen t o synthesis gas (a mixture of H-2 and CO) which is then converted to h igh quality liquid transportation fuels by utilizing a modernized vers ion of the Fischer-Tropsch reaction. This paper presents a computer si mulation of the first stage of the process, i.e. the synthesis gas pro duction from natural gas, ASPEN PLUS equipped with a combustion databa nk was used for calculations. Concentrations of over 30 combustion spe cies and radicals expected in the synthesis gas have been calculated a t equilibrium and several non-equilibrium conditions, Using a sensitiv ity analysis tool, the relative feed flow rates and reactor parameters have been varied searching to maximize the CO/O-2 yield as well as to minimize the undesired nitrogen compounds in the product stream. The optimum reactor temperature for maximizing the CO mole fraction in the synthesis gas was also calculated. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.